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Author: TriSec    Date: 02/25/2014 11:08:44

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,524th day in Afghanistan. We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan : 2,310
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,111

We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:

$ 1, 516, 624, 125, 000 .00




We'll dive right in today. It's been 13 years at war in Afghanistan, with the corresponding loss of blood and treasure. It might possibly still be worth it if a stable and secure Afghanistan was the end result. Unfortunately, there's a new report out that indicates that despite all our efforts, Afghanistan is probably headed the way of Iraq.


WASHINGTON — The authors of an independent, Pentagon-commissioned assessment of the Afghan National Security Forces concluded that current U.S. and NATO plans for the post-2014 ANSF are woefully inadequate to prevent a major deterioration in the Afghanistan security environment.

The study, which was published Thursday, was conducted by CNA, a think tank based in Alexandria, Va. The Defense Department requested the review under Congressional mandate.

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said the Pentagon has received the report and DOD officials are in the process of reviewing it.

“There’s no doubt that the work that CNA has done here will help inform decision-makers as we get close to the end of the year,” Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon.

The CNA analysts issued a dire warning about what will happen in Afghanistan after 2014 if current plans remain in place.

“In the likely 2015-2018 security environment, the ANSF will require a total security force of about 373,300 personnel [including 29,100 Afghan Local Police] in order to provide basic security for the country, and cope with the Taliban insurgency and low-level al-Qaida threat,” according to the report’s authors.

That force level is 44 percent higher than the one agreed upon by political leaders at the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago. Alliance plans call for 258,500 [including 30,000 Afghan Local Police] in that time frame. There are currently 382,000 ANSF.

“Proceeding with the drawdown of the ANSF as announced at the Chicago Summit will put the current U.S. policy goal for Afghanistan at risk,” the report said.

The CNA analysts noted that their conclusion is based on the assumption that the insurgent threat would increase post-2014, which differs from the alliance assumption in 2012 that the insurgency would be diminished by that point.

CNA estimated that the annual cost of sustaining a 373,400-strong force would be $5-6 billion per year at a time of budget constraints for the Pentagon and the U.S. government as a whole. The projected annual cost of maintaining a base force of 228,500 ANSF [not including the 30,000 Afghan Local Police], as envisioned by NATO, is $4.1 billion per year.


Now, think about that $4.1 billion dollar figure that's going to be needed in Afghanistan, and take a look at this next story. The sequester hasn't gone away, and apparently the Republican's hatred of the President is so strong that they are unable to see past it for any reason. In return, the Pentagon is being forced to slash their budget to Pre-WWII levels. Sorry Afghans...that $4.1b is probably staying with the Defense Department.


WASHINGTON — Facing fiscal constraints, the Defense Department will try to preserve high-tech warfare capabilities while cutting people and platforms and curbing the growth of pay and benefits, according to a budget preview unveiled by Pentagon officials Monday.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel suggested next year’s budget will have historic implications.

“As we end our combat mission in Afghanistan, this will be the first budget to fully reflect the transition DOD is making after 13 years of war — the longest conflict in our nation’s history … The choices ahead will define our defense institutions for the years to come,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.

Caps on spending stemming from recent Congressional budget agreements have forced DOD to make cuts to force structure and lower personnel costs in order to preserve high-priority programs and maintain sufficient levels of readiness to meet future threats, Hagel said.

For Fiscal 2015, the law limits DOD spending to $496 billion — $45 billion less for the year than projected in President Barack Obama’s five-year forecast last year. And the threat of sequestration in future years gives further impetus to making these force adjustments, Hagel said.

“No realistic effort to find further significant savings can avoid dealing with military compensation. That includes pay and benefits for active and retired troops, both direct and in-kind,” Hagel said.


Moving on, I have a name that I had hoped never to type in this space again. In fact, I probably won't because fuck that guy. What he's doing here is such remarkable effrontery to our veterans, that I can't help but admire his chutzpah.


WASHINGTON — Former President George W. Bush hosted a Military Service Initiative Summit on Wednesday, and spoke about the many problems facing post-9/11 veterans and how his institute hopes to address them.

“A lot of people ask me, you know, do I miss much about being president. The answer really [is] no, [but] I do miss saluting men and women who volunteer to defend our nation during war. Many are coming home and are preparing for new missions as civilians. And I intend to salute these men and women for the rest of my life … And through the Military Service Initiative, the [George W.] Bush Institute is going to help [them],” Bush said at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

“Since 9/11, more than 2.5 million Americans have worn the uniform … They are the 1 percent of America who kept the 99 percent safe. And we owe them and their families a deep debt of gratitude. Our country can never really fully repay our vets, but we ought to try.”

Bush said his institute’s plans have been shaped by a joint study that the organization conducted with the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which he described as “one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted of post-9/11 veterans.”


I really don't understand what he's doing here...even reading the so-called "study", I can only add, "Well, DUH!". I suppose it's at the level of intellect that he can understand. I could only hope that someday he understands the pain and suffering that he's caused the families of our veterans...and indeed, this entire nation.
 

55 comments (Latest Comment: 02/26/2014 00:26:10 by Will in Chicago)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 14:06:38
Tri,

The military budget isn't be cut to pre-WW II levels, the number of troops is what the proposal calls for. Huge difference.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 14:07:32
Morning

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 14:10:54
Good morning!

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 14:21:08




Comment by BobR on 02/25/2014 14:24:32
Quote by Mondobubba:
Tri,

The military budget isn't be cut to pre-WW II levels, the number of troops is what the proposal calls for. Huge difference.

Yeah - that's what I read too

Comment by BobR on 02/25/2014 14:25:16
Quote by Raine:



Cat: "Meow"
Translation: "a little help here?"

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 14:29:40
Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 14:31:16
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19gs8fqd6kam1gif/ku-medium.gif


Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 14:34:36
Someone remind me again that I don't have to solve everyone's problems and that's okay.

*stupid only child's disease*

Comment by Scoopster on 02/25/2014 14:41:19
Mornin' all..

I mixed a bag of decaf coffee in with the regular stuff today (the boss bought it by accident). So forgive me if I'm half today!

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 14:43:12
Quote by wickedpam:
Someone remind me again that I don't have to solve everyone's problems and that's okay.

*stupid only child's disease*
Do I REALLY have to post a Stuart Smally gif here?




Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 14:48:50
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Someone remind me again that I don't have to solve everyone's problems and that's okay.

*stupid only child's disease*
Do I REALLY have to post a Stuart Smally gif here?





Oh dear God, please don't

Thanks for the

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 15:59:00
Good morning, bloggers!!!

I hope that everyone is well.

Here is a bonus story for the blog that I found a few days ago via the LA Times:



Obama will award Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked Army veterans

By Daniel Rothberg

February 21, 2014, 2:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Seeking to correct a historic injustice, President Obama will award the nation's highest combat honor to two dozen veterans -- mostly Latino and Jewish -- who fought as far back as World War II but were denied the coveted Medal of Honor because of discrimination.

Only three of the recipients are still alive.

The campaign to issue the awards began in 2002 when Congress passed the Defense Authorization Act, which prompted a review of Latino and Jewish service members who had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest honor, but not the Medal of Honor.

After reviewing about 600 records from Dec. 1941 to Dec. 2001, the Pentagon discovered 19 Latino and Jewish service members who deserved the Medal of Honor. The review also found five additional service members who had been overlooked for the honor.


Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 16:05:49
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!!!

I hope that everyone is well.

Here is a bonus story for the blog that I found a few days ago via the LA Times:



Obama will award Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked Army veterans

By Daniel Rothberg

February 21, 2014, 2:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Seeking to correct a historic injustice, President Obama will award the nation's highest combat honor to two dozen veterans -- mostly Latino and Jewish -- who fought as far back as World War II but were denied the coveted Medal of Honor because of discrimination.

Only three of the recipients are still alive.

The campaign to issue the awards began in 2002 when Congress passed the Defense Authorization Act, which prompted a review of Latino and Jewish service members who had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest honor, but not the Medal of Honor.

After reviewing about 600 records from Dec. 1941 to Dec. 2001, the Pentagon discovered 19 Latino and Jewish service members who deserved the Medal of Honor. The review also found five additional service members who had been overlooked for the honor.
This is awesome!


Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 16:29:27
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Someone remind me again that I don't have to solve everyone's problems and that's okay.

*stupid only child's disease*
Do I REALLY have to post a Stuart Smally gif here?





YES!

Comment by Scoopster on 02/25/2014 16:29:40
Ahh.. just listen to the sounds of thousands of Bitcoin goons whining about giving their Monopoly money to a trash outfit like MtGox which shut down today claiming it lost all their stored 'wallets'.

And of course the price of bitcoins is currently rising. Makes total sense to me - after a unregulated fraudster outlet like MtGox goes down they need to turn all that 'lost currency' into an actual profit.

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 16:33:05
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Someone remind me again that I don't have to solve everyone's problems and that's okay.

*stupid only child's disease*
Do I REALLY have to post a Stuart Smally gif here?





YES!



Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 16:33:48
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!!!

I hope that everyone is well.

Here is a bonus story for the blog that I found a few days ago via the LA Times:



Obama will award Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked Army veterans

By Daniel Rothberg

February 21, 2014, 2:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Seeking to correct a historic injustice, President Obama will award the nation's highest combat honor to two dozen veterans -- mostly Latino and Jewish -- who fought as far back as World War II but were denied the coveted Medal of Honor because of discrimination.

Only three of the recipients are still alive.

The campaign to issue the awards began in 2002 when Congress passed the Defense Authorization Act, which prompted a review of Latino and Jewish service members who had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest honor, but not the Medal of Honor.

After reviewing about 600 records from Dec. 1941 to Dec. 2001, the Pentagon discovered 19 Latino and Jewish service members who deserved the Medal of Honor. The review also found five additional service members who had been overlooked for the honor.
This is awesome!



Yes it is. I think that this is an example of trying to make things right. Historically, many members of our military were discriminated against because of their origins. I hope that there is a public ceremony with the veterans being there to accept their medals -- and overdue recognition by the country that they love.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 16:48:43



I hope that Governor Jan Brewer will listen to those calling on her to ban the discrimination bill as it is immoral and hopefully would be overturned in court. I think that Arizona has many good people in it, but the politicians are too often extremists.

As a bonus click, here is George Takei's blog on Arizona's new law.

Comment by BobR on 02/25/2014 16:57:29
Quote by Scoopster:
Ahh.. just listen to the sounds of thousands of Bitcoin goons whining about giving their Monopoly money to a trash outfit like MtGox which shut down today claiming it lost all their stored 'wallets'.

And of course the price of bitcoins is currently rising. Makes total sense to me - after a unregulated fraudster outlet like MtGox goes down they need to turn all that 'lost currency' into an actual profit.

Boy, does that have "Ponzi Scheme" written all over it, or what? There are going to be a bunch of "investors" who are going to figure out sooner or later just what their fame money is worth.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 17:10:50
Comment by Scoopster on 02/25/2014 17:14:45
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Scoopster:
Ahh.. just listen to the sounds of thousands of Bitcoin goons whining about giving their Monopoly money to a trash outfit like MtGox which shut down today claiming it lost all their stored 'wallets'.

And of course the price of bitcoins is currently rising. Makes total sense to me - after a unregulated fraudster outlet like MtGox goes down they need to turn all that 'lost currency' into an actual profit.

Boy, does that have "Ponzi Scheme" written all over it, or what? There are going to be a bunch of "investors" who are going to figure out sooner or later just what their fame money is worth.

Oh it's a bit deeper than that.. it's kinda widely known that organized crime had stashed money into bitcoins and stored it on MtGox. I imagine it won't be long until the guy who founded/ran it is found in a swamp someplace with his hands cut off.

Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 17:19:42
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Scoopster:
Ahh.. just listen to the sounds of thousands of Bitcoin goons whining about giving their Monopoly money to a trash outfit like MtGox which shut down today claiming it lost all their stored 'wallets'.

And of course the price of bitcoins is currently rising. Makes total sense to me - after a unregulated fraudster outlet like MtGox goes down they need to turn all that 'lost currency' into an actual profit.

Boy, does that have "Ponzi Scheme" written all over it, or what? There are going to be a bunch of "investors" who are going to figure out sooner or later just what their fame money is worth.

Oh it's a bit deeper than that.. it's kinda widely known that organized crime had stashed money into bitcoins and stored it on MtGox. I imagine it won't be long until the guy who founded/ran it is found in a swamp someplace with his hands cut off.



If he is found at all.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 17:44:47
So, the campaign of hate in Uganda goes up into a higher gear. Uganda Newspaper Names '200 Top' Homosexuals After President Signs Anti-Gay Law.

I fear what may happen to some of the people on that list, considering the past actions of vigilantes who are ignored by the authorities in many cases.

Comment by clintster on 02/25/2014 18:02:30
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75


Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 18:07:43
Well that's terrifying.

Comment by BobR on 02/25/2014 18:09:52
OMG - that thing is a monstrosity.

Comment by livingonli on 02/25/2014 18:22:50
Good day, folks. I wonder what warped mind came up with that idea for a mascot since it seems like it would have involved a lot of drugs.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 18:30:10
Quote by BobR:
OMG - that thing is a monstrosity.


Did they test this mascot with children? It looks like the stuff of nightmares.

Comment by Scoopster on 02/25/2014 18:31:55
It looks like something outta the campy 80s horror flick Killer Klowns from Outer Space!

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 18:42:16
For the blog, we should be wary of anyone in the Bush family seeking office. Fortunately, it seems that one is showing his limitations, according to Salon:

GOP’s secret idiot? If George P. Bush is its future, the party’s in trouble

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 19:05:08
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75


Someone is going to lose a job in the Marketing department.

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 19:06:05
Quote by Raine:
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75


Someone is going to lose a job in the Marketing department.


and what's up with the Duct tape down there????


Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 19:54:46
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75



Clint, When I wake up in a cold sweat because of the nightmare involving a pack of wild chihuahua and King Baby Cake chasing me through the French Quarter, I shall curse your name.

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 20:02:53
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75



Clint, When I wake up in a cold sweat because of the nightmare involving a pack of wild chihuahua and King Baby Cake chasing me through the French Quarter, I shall curse your name.



Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 20:03:18
I have shared King Baby Cake with co-workers, the consensus is "creepy."

Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 20:10:30
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75



Clint, When I wake up in a cold sweat because of the nightmare involving a pack of wild chihuahua and King Baby Cake chasing me through the French Quarter, I shall curse your name.




I disliked chihuahua's ever since my aunt's dog Princess came lunging at me when I was a wee lad of 6 or 7 yapping her damn fool head off. Finding out about the town in Arizona that is plagued by packs feral chihuahuas is nightmarish on its own. Combine it with King Baby Cake it is high octane bad dream fuel.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/25/2014 20:13:10
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by clintster:
And in your nightmare fuel queue for tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans' new mascot: King Cake Baby

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/773/144/4fa871c684b3ba20eb269b278da124ad_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75



Clint, When I wake up in a cold sweat because of the nightmare involving a pack of wild chihuahua and King Baby Cake chasing me through the French Quarter, I shall curse your name.




I disliked chihuahua's ever since my aunt's dog Princess came lunging at me when I was a wee lad of 6 or 7 yapping her damn fool head off. Finding out about the town in Arizona that is plagued by packs feral chihuahuas is nightmarish on its own. Combine it with King Baby Cake it is high octane bad dream fuel.



My Aunt Marlene had a rare, sweet natured Chihuahua. She was the runt of her litter and was showered with affection by my Aunt, resulting in a very friendly dog. She has proven to be the exception to the rule.

Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 20:16:04
Bleacher Report on King Baby Cake.

Tired of feeling groggy in the morning after a night of too much sleep? Worried that your boss is taking note of all of those late arrivals you've been having?

If oversleeping is taking control of your life, the New Orleans Pelicans are doing everything they can to help you get it back. Sit through one game at the Smoothie King Center, and you'll never go to sleep again.


Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 20:18:15
http://dubsism.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/pierre-the-pelican.jpg



I give you King Baby Cake's pal, Pierre the Pelican. Who looks nothing like a pelican.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 20:24:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
http://dubsism.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/pierre-the-pelican.jpg



I give you King Baby Cake's pal, Pierre the Pelican. Who looks nothing like a pelican.



who the frick designs these damn things!

Comment by Mondobubba on 02/25/2014 20:37:09
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
http://dubsism.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/pierre-the-pelican.jpg



I give you King Baby Cake's pal, Pierre the Pelican. Who looks nothing like a pelican.



who the frick designs these damn things!


People who are tripping bear balls? Damned if I know.


Comment by wickedpam on 02/25/2014 20:40:29
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
http://dubsism.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/pierre-the-pelican.jpg



I give you King Baby Cake's pal, Pierre the Pelican. Who looks nothing like a pelican.



who the frick designs these damn things!


People who are tripping bear balls? Damned if I know.



they should go into horror films - jeez!

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 20:43:48
Comment by TriSec on 02/25/2014 20:48:54
Greetings, comrades. An early day home, but we're off at the dentist for Javi's 6 monther. I wrote the blog in a rush this morning, so maybe the troop level story didn't quite come out the way I intended...

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 21:28:24
*sigh* this is sorta sad....

Researchers recently found a new pink-nosed rodentlike marsupial that gives up a lot for sex: Males of the species mate so intensely that they die before their young are born. The little lothario in Australia's Springbrook National Park was caught with traps baited with peanut butter and oats. They dubbed it the black-tailed antechinus in a report published in the journal Zootaxa. Marsupials in this genus are promiscuous maters. Females give birth to large broods that include offspring from several fathers. To raise their chances of delivering more offspring, males mate for hours at a time with many females. This behavior causes the animals' stress hormone levels skyrocketing, which eventually results in death.


Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 21:34:38


Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 21:38:02
Do you remember Miles O'Brien from CNN?

This makes me a bit sad.

Comment by Raine on 02/25/2014 21:40:45
Mondo, I tagged you on the BoF.

but anyway...